Hello guys!
Myself (an experienced nitro car/truck guy) and a buddy (zero nitro experience) have been given this basket case plane. The engine was completely rusted/siezed from lack of after run treatment. The plane is gutted and all the electronics are included. I have 4 servos (working) a JR century VII 7 channel rx, and a JR Max 4 radio. We ordered a new OS .46LA engine, and a new starter motor. I have soo many questions! Can someone hook me up with a good link for basic kit assembly? Heres some pics of our project. Is the break-in procedure for a new aircraft engine basically the same from car engines? Is there supposed to be a wheel under the rear tail of the plane (I don't have one). Any opinions about the .46LA engine, and my project in generall would be great. Thanks for your time!
Rich

Looks like you need to find a good flying club somewhere in your area. Since you have four working servos, that's a good start. You will have on e servo for the elevator, one servo for the rudder and nose wheel (both work off the same servo), one for the throttle, adn one for the ailerons (usually installed in the saddle on the wing). Since you havea nose wheel, you don't need a tail wheel. The 46LA will be a good engine for the plane. Make sure that youer on board battery for the palne is in good shape and takes a good charge. Usually I will just change out the on board battery with a new one to make sure. Make sure that you put the on/off swith on the left side of teh plane to keep it out of the exhaust stream from the engine. Most IMPORTANT - DO NOT try to teach yourself how to fly. Find a good club with a flight instructor (at 99% of the clubs, there will be no charge). Most clubs have enought flyers that would be happy to set up your plane correctly. Good Luck

Thats not a horrible plane. But, i also though i needed something on the tail of my plane when i got mine, but they don't come near hitting the tail on landings, so you will be fine there. I wouldn't join the ama and club, but find an instructor so you don't waste your money on that 46 la

Pilot Chad - I would hope that Polar would join the AMA and a club to learn how to fly. I know that at every club that I've been in you only get three courtesy flights, then you join the club and you must have AMA or no more flying. Even the 3 month special just to cover him in case the plane decides that it wants to do something else. I also think the LA 46 is a very good engine for a trainer - easy to break-in and to start. It's a trainer, so I don't think that it needs a fire breathing engine.

hey! I like my OS 46LA! No, it's not a 50FX, but it was $64.99, and does great on my twist.

As easy as my 46LA has been to operate, I'd say it's a super choice for a trainer. Most people insist on huge motors for thier trainers because they strip thier trainers after they "move up", but I like to keep mine operational because I like flying it..and it's real good practice (My trainer is a Superstar 40 with a ten year old OS40FP that does great!).

And, I'd find someone with experience to help set the plane up, and get'er in the air. A club would be a good place to start...most will let you get a few flights under your belt before they make you join them, just to see if you like it enough to stick with it...and if you do stick with it, the AMA is a good idea, just for the insurance.

Polar_Bus,

I strongly agree with bassfisher about finding a club if you want to get started flying RC aircraft. Your experience with nitro cars has given you a feel for RC in general but it may also give you a false sense of confidence if you try to tackle the aircraft side of RC on your own. The information and help you will receive from other club members will be invaluable and it will give you the best chance of a successful transition into RC aircraft. Best of luck,

JC

Guys,
I wasn't making fun of the LA, I was saying find and instructor so you didn't waste money on the engine (since he didn't pay for the plane...) So sorry if it sounded like i was dogging the LA.

Thanks guys for all the tips,
There is a flying club that is very nearby to where I live. This plane upon close inspection is "weathered" but I figure we are newbs, so I would rather auger a "clapped out" plane rather than a new one. I can't believe how inexpensive aircraft engines are as opposed to car engines. I picked up a new OS .46LA for $79 !! your average performance .26 car engine will run $150+! When I look under the wing there is a recess for a servo? What happens in a hard crash with respect to the servo lead when the wing gets ripped off? Is there supposed to be a "nose piece" in the fron that goes around the engine? If there is I must be missing that cover. Will the plane still fly properly? Heres a pic of the front of our plane: Thanks again
Rich

This is how it looks with every thing in place. There is no cowling (nose piece) on most trainers.

I suggest you DO JOIN THE AMA. It is well worth the insurance if you hurt someone or something. Pilot Chad, if you are not a member of AMA, I suggest you join. From reading your posts, I gather that you are young (teenager) and not a real good pilot yet. If you are not a member of the AMA, and you hurt (or worse) someone or someone's property, your parents could be liable--which could mean anything from a few hundred bucks to their house and everything they own. These are NOT TOYS. I think at your age, there is even a price break (junior members). Others might know more about that.

Polor Bus - a little Windex will clean that plane up. In the event of a crah, the servo lead will pull out of the receiver. The opening for the engine opening is correct, no covers needed. The airplane is designed to fly that way. The engine will fill the space. You might want to by a spinner to help out with a electric starter. Another thing about crashing - must instructors use a buddy box that attaches a "master" transmitter to your transmitter, the "slave". Crashes are much fewer using that system , as opposed to when I started flying and had the "throw the radio" trick to the instructor when the student got into trouble. Liek a couple of us have said, tak ethe plane to your local field and just ask for help - if its like most club, people will come out of the woodwork to give you advise!!!

Polar,

You already took the first step by asking here. A little bit of Windex and maybe some rubbing alcohol and it will be almost as good as new. If you know what the plane actually is, you may be able to go to the manufacture's web site and get the manual for it.

As far as not joining the AMA and a club that is up to you but it is highly recommended. Image this: You are flying in an area with nothing around. Someone sees you flying and decides to watch (happens more than you think). Something happenes to the plane and it either hits the car of the spectators or god forbid one of the spectators. You know that 58.00 you saved, it just cost you 10 times more or even 100 times more. A good lawsuit will spoil your day.

As far as joining a club, again, that's recommended. The skills that you will pick up that you will not find in print or any other place are worth it not to mention the new friends you will have are priceless. We see people all the time come on here and admit that they should have done both. They tried it without and got into all sorts of trouble and frustration then go join both and find out that it would have been cheaper in the long run.

Again it's your call. Personally I think not joining the AMA is definitely not worth the risk for the little it costs and in my eyes, it's bad advice when you are told not to. But that's just me.

I have actually sent in my stuff for AMA. I sent it in early april and i emailed them to find out they didn't get it. I will be resending tommrow.

HHMM,

you suggest that someone not join the AMA then you mention you joined BEFORE you gave that advice. [X(]

Polar_Bus As an AMA sanctioned instructor for a club here in Utah, my suggestion is to sign up on AMA's thirty day training plan with a AMA instructor. After a couple lessons, then you will know for sure if this is something that is in your future. Then join AMA and the club of your choice and enjoy this great hobby. That is a great looking trainer and the radio sounds to be a solid piece of equipment, But I would do as previously suggested is to have someone in a club to test your batteries and replace if necessary. As for the 46 LA, that is probably on of the finest beginners engines on the market, just don't ruin it because an iffy battery failed you in flight.

You have some good advice here. I'll add that the plane looks like a Great Planes PT-40, a good one to learn on. It's what I learned on and it flys quite well.

Good luck, and have fun!
Dennis-

Dennis thank you for the identification, I have no idea what this model is. Is there a link to a basic assembly manuall for this model, or just a basic kit assembly tips? Our plane needs a lot of rework, as it was not well maintained. The first thing I am learning is throw all my car/truck experience by the wayside, as it doesn't apply to airplanes! Thanks,
Rich

Here ya go

http://www.greatplanes.com/manuals/g...anual-v1_2.pdf

Airplanes and cars are two different breeds of RC, but you'd be surprised how much you already know. You're already familar with nitro engines and servos and you've already experienced control reversal when the car is coming at you. I am be no means trying to discourage you from getting an instructor, I'm just saying that you have an advantage over people who have no experience. I'm glad you are heeding all the advice from this thread, you should do just fine in this sport. Good luck.

I'll be glad to help ya. You're very close to me.

Sean